Solid dressing for treating wounded tissue

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are solid dressings for treated wounded tissue in mammalian patients, such as a human, comprising a haemostatic layer consisting essentially of fibrinogen and a fibrinogen activator, wherein the fibrinogen is present in an amount between 3.0 mg/cm 2  of the wound facing surface of the dressing and 13.0 mg/cm 2  of the wound facing surface of the dressing. Also disclosed are methods for treating wounded tissue.

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/882,876, entitled, “Solid Dressing for Treating Wounded Tissue,” filed Aug. 6, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to a solid dressing for treating wounded tissue in a mammalian patient, such as a human. The materials and methods available to stop bleeding in pre-hospital care (gauze dressings, direct pressure, and tourniquets) have, unfortunately, not changed significantly in the past 2000 years. See L. Zimmerman et al., Great Ideas in the History of Surgery (San Francisco, Calif.: Norman Publishing; 1993), 31. Even in trained hands they are not uniformly effective, and the occurrence of excessive bleeding or fatal hemorrhage from an accessible site is not uncommon. See J. M. Rocko et al., J. Trauma 22:635 (1982).

Mortality data from Vietnam indicates that 10% of combat deaths were due to uncontrolled extremity hemorrhage. See SAS/STAT Users Guide, 4th ed. (Cary, N.C.: SAS Institute Inc.; 1990). Up to one third of the deaths from ex-sanguination during the Vietnam War could have been prevented by the use of effective field hemorrhage control methods. See SAS/STAT Users Guide, 4th ed. (Cary, N.C.: SAS Institute Inc.; 1990).

Although civilian trauma mortality statistics do not provide exact numbers for pre-hospital deaths from extremity hemorrhage, case and anecdotal reports indicate similar occurrences. See J. M. Rocko et al. These data suggest that a substantial increase in survival can be affected by the pre-hospital use of a simple and effective method of hemorrhage control.

There are now in use a number of newer haemostatic agents that have been developed to overcome the deficiencies of traditional gauze bandages. These haemostatic agents include the following:

-   -   Microporous polysaccharide particles (TraumaDEX®, Medafor Inc.,         Minneapolis, Minn.);     -   Zeolite (QuikClot®, Z-Medica Corp, Wallington, Conn.);     -   Acetylated poly-N-acetyl glucosamine (Rapid Deployment Hemostat™         (RDH), Marine Polymer Technologies, Danvers, Mass.);     -   Chitosan (HemCon® bandage, HemCon Medical Technologies Inc.,         Portland Oreg.);     -   Liquid Fibrin Sealants (Tisseel VH, Baxter, Deerfield, Ill.)     -   Human fibrinogen and thrombin on equine collagen (TachoComb-S,         Hafslund Nycomed Pharma, Linz, Austria);     -   Microdispersed oxidized cellulose (m•Doc™, Alltracel Group,         Dublin, Ireland);     -   Propyl gallate (Hemostatin™, Analytical Control Systems Inc.,         Fishers, Ind.);     -   Epsilon aminocaproic acid and thrombin (Hemarrest™ patch,         Clarion Pharmaceuticals,

Inc.);

-   -   Purified bovine corium collagen (Avitene® sheets (non-woven web         or Avitene Microfibrillar Collagen Hemostat (MCH), Davol, Inc.,         Cranston, R.I.);     -   Controlled oxidation of regenerated cellulose (Surgicel®,         Ethicon Inc., Somerville, N.J.);     -   Aluminum sulfate with an ethyl cellulose coating (Sorbastace         Microcaps, Hemostace, LLC, New Orleans, La.);     -   Microporous hydrogel-forming polyacrylamide (BioHemostat,         Hemodyne, Inc., Richmond Va.); and     -   Recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven®, NovoNordisk Inc.,         Princeton, N.J.).         These agents have met with varying degrees of success when used         in animal models of traumatic injuries and/or in the field.

One such agent is a starch-based haemostatic agent sold under the trade name TraumaDEX™. This product comprises macroporous polysaccharide particles that are poured directly into or onto a wound. The particles appear to exert their haemostatic effect by absorbing water from the blood and plasma in the wound, resulting in the accumulation and concentration of clotting factors and platelets. In two studies of a lethal groin wound model, however, this agent showed no meaningful benefit over standard gauze dressings. See McManus et al., Business Briefing: Emergency Medical Review 2005, pp. 76-79 (presently available on-line at www.touchbriefings.com/pdf/1334/Wedmore.pdf).

Another particle-based agent is QuickClot™ powder, a zeolite granular haemostatic agent that is poured directly into or onto a wound. The zeolite particles also appear to exert their haemostatic effect through fluid absorption, which cause the accumulation and concentration of clotting factors and platelets. Although this agent has been used successfully in some animal studies, there remains concern about the exothermic process of fluid absorption by the particles. Some studies have shown this reaction to produce temperatures in excess of 143° C. in vitro and in excess of 50° C. in vivo, which is severe enough to cause third-degree burns. See McManus et al., Business Briefing: Emergency Medical Review 2005, at 77. The exothermic reaction of QuikClot™ has also been observed to result in gross and histological tissue changes of unknown clinical significance. Acheson et Trauma 59:865-874 (2005).

Unlike these particle-based agents, the Rapid Deployment Hemostat™ appears to exert its haemostatic effect through red blood cell aggregation, platelet activation, clotting cascade activation and local vasoconstriction. The Rapid Deployment Hemostat™ is an algae-derived dressing composed of poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine. While the original dressing design was effective in reducing minor bleeding, it was necessary to add gauze backing in order to reduce blood loss in swine models of aortic and liver injury. See McManus et al., Business Briefing: Emergency Medical Review 2005, at 78.

Another poly-N-acetyl-glucosamine-derived dressing is the HemCon™ Chitosan Bandage, which is a freeze-dried chitosan dressing purportedly designed to optimize the mucoadhesive surface density and structural integrity of the chitosan at the site of the wound. The HemCon™ Chitosan Bandage apparently exerts its haemostatic effects primarily through adhesion to the wound, although there is evidence suggesting it may also enhance platelet function and incorporate red blood cells into the clot it forms on the wound. This bandage has shown improved hemostasis and reduced blood loss in several animal models of arterial hemorrhage, but a marked variability was observed between bandages, including the failure of some due to inadequate adherence to the wound. See McManus et al., Business Briefing: Emergency Medical Review 2005, at 79.

Liquid fibrin sealants, such as Tisseel VH, have been used for years as an operating room adjunct for hemorrhage control. See J. L. Garza et al., J. Trauma 30:512-513 (1990); H. B. Kram et al., J. Trauma 30:97-101(1990); M. G. Ochsner et al., J. Trauma 30:884-887 (1990); T. L. Matthew et al., Ann. Thorac. Surg. 50:40-44 (1990); H. Jakob et al., J. Vasc. Surg., 1:171-180 (1984). The first mention of tissue glue used for hemostasis dates back to 1909. See Current Trends in Surgical Tissue Adhesives: Proceedings of the First International Symposium on Surgical Adhesives, M. J. MacPhee et al., eds. (Lancaster, Pa.: Technomic Publishing Co; 1995). Liquid fibrin sealants are typically composed of fibrinogen and thrombin, but may also contain Factor XIII/XIIIa, either as a by-product of fibrinogen purification or as an added ingredient (in certain applications, it is therefore not necessary that Factor XIII/Factor XIIIa be present in the fibrin sealant because there is sufficient Factor XIII/XIIIa, or other transaminase, endogenously present to induce fibrin formation). As liquids, however, these fibrin sealants have not proved useful for treating traumatic injuries in the field.

Dry fibrinogen-thrombin dressings having a collagen support (e.g. TachoComb™, TachoComb™ H and TachoSil available from Hafslund Nycomed Pharma, Linz, Austria) are also available for operating room use in many European countries. See U. Schiele et al., Clin. Materials 9:169-177 (1992). While these fibrinogen-thrombin dressings do not require the pre-mixing needed by liquid fibrin sealants, their utility for field applications is limited by a requirement for storage at 4° C. and the necessity for pre-wetting with saline solution prior to application to the wound. These dressings are also not effective against high pressure, high volume bleeding. See Sondeen et al., J. Trauma 54:280-285 (2003).

A dry fibrinogen/thrombin dressing for treating wounded tissue is also available from the American Red Cross (ARC). As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336, this particular dressing is composed of a backing material and a plurality of layers, the outer two of which contain fibrinogen (but no thrombin) while the inner layer contains thrombin and calcium chloride (but no fibrinogen). While this dressing has shown great success in several animal models of hemorrhage, the bandage is fragile, inflexible, and has a tendency to break apart when handled. See McManus et al., Business Briefing: Emergency Medical Review 2005, at 78; Kheirabadi et al., J. Trauma 59:25-35 (2005). In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 teaches that this bandage should contain 15 mg/cm² of fibrinogen to successfully pass a porcine arteriotomy test that is less robust than that disclosed in this application (see Example XI). Moreover, although U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 discloses that bandages comprising two layers of fibrinogen, each with a concentration of 4 mg/cm² to 15 mg/cm² may provide effective control of hemorrhage, it further teaches that “fibrinogen dose is related to quality. The higher dose is associated with more firm and tightly adhered clots. While lower fibrinogen doses are effective for hemorrhage control during the initial 60 minutes, longer term survival will likely depend on clot quality.”

Other fibrinogen/thrombin-based dressings have also been proposed. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,142 discloses a resorptive sheet material for closing and healing wounds which consists of a glycoprotein matrix, such as collagen, containing coagulation proteins, such as fibrinogen and thrombin. U.S. Pat. No. 5,702,715 discloses a reinforced biological sealant composed of separate layers of fibrinogen and thrombin, at least one of which also contains a reinforcement filler such as PEG, PVP, BSA, mannitol, FICOLL, dextran, myo-inositol or sodium chlorate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,056,970 discloses dressings composed of a bioabsorbable polymer, such as hyaluronic acid or carboxymethylcellulose, and a haemostatic composition composed of powdered thrombin and/or powdered fibrinogen. U.S. Pat. No. 7,189,410 discloses a bandage composed of a backing material having thereon: (i) particles of fibrinogen; (ii) particles of thrombin; and (iii) calcium chloride. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0155234 A1 discloses a dressing composed of a backing material and a plurality of fibrinogen layers which have discrete areas of thrombin between them. To date, none of these dressings have been approved for use or are available commercially.

Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for a solid dressing that can be used to treat wounded tissue, particularly wounded tissue resulting from traumatic injury in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solid dressing that can treat wounded mammalian tissue, particularly wounded tissue resulting from a traumatic injury. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a method of treating wounded mammalian tissue, particularly human tissue. Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in the detailed description of preferred embodiments that follows, and will in part be apparent from that description and/or may be learned by practice of the present invention. These objects and advantages will be realized and attained by the compositions and methods described in this specification and particularly pointed out in the claims that follow.

In accordance with these and other objects, a first embodiment of the present invention is direct to a solid dressing for treating wounded tissue in a mammal comprising at least one haemostatic layer consisting essentially of fibrinogen and a fibrinogen activator, wherein the fibrinogen is present in an amount between about 3.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing and 13.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing.

Another embodiment is directed to a method of treating wounded tissue using a solid dressing comprising at least one haemostatic layer consisting essentially of fibrinogen and a fibrinogen activator, wherein the fibrinogen is present in an amount between about 11.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing and 13.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of preferred embodiments are exemplary and explanatory only and are intended to provide further explanation, but not limitation, of the invention as claimed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C are graphs showing the results achieved in Example 1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of the set-up for the ex vivo porcine arteriotomoy assay described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents and publications mentioned herein are incorporated by reference.

As used herein, use of a singular article such as “a,” “an,” and “the” is not intended to excluded pluralities of the article's object unless the context clearly and unambiguously dictates otherwise.

“Patient” as used herein refers to human or animal individuals in need of medical care and/or treatment.

“Wound” as used herein refers to any damage to any tissue of a patient which results in the loss of blood from the circulatory system and/or any other fluid from the patient's body. The tissue may be an internal tissue, such as an organ or blood vessel, or an external tissue, such as the skin. The loss of blood may be internal, such as from a ruptured organ, or external, such as from a laceration. A wound may be in a soft tissue, such as an organ, or in hard tissue, such as bone. The damage may have been caused by any agent or source, including traumatic injury, infection or surgical intervention.

“Resorbable material” as used herein refers to a material that is broken down spontaneously and/or by the mammalian body into components which are consumed or eliminated in such a manner as not to interfere significantly with wound healing and/or tissue regeneration, and without causing any significant metabolic disturbance.

“Stability” as used herein refers to the retention of those characteristics of a material that determine activity and/or function.

“Suitable” as used herein is intended to mean that a material does not adversely affect the stability of the dressings or any component thereof.

“Binding agent” as used herein refers to a compound or mixture of compounds that improves the adherence and/or cohesion of the components of the haemostatic layer(s) of the dressings.

“Solubilizing agent” as used herein refers to a compound or mixture of compounds that improves the dissolution of a protein or proteins in aqueous solvent.

“Filler” as used herein refers to a compound or mixture of compounds that provide bulk and/or porosity to the haemostatic layer(s) of a dressing.

“Release agent” as used herein refers to a compound or mixture of compounds that facilitates removal of a dressing from a manufacturing mold.

“Foaming agent” as used herein refers to a compound or mixture of compounds that produces gas when hydrated under suitable conditions.

“Solid” as used herein is intended to mean that the dressing will not substantially change in shape or form when placed on a rigid surface, wound-facing side down, and then left to stand at room temperature for 24 hours.

A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a solid dressing for treating wounded tissue in a patient which comprises a haemostatic layer consisting of fibrinogen and a fibrinogen activator, wherein the fibrinogen is present in an amount between 3.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing and 13.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing, all values being ±0.09 mg/cm².

As used herein, “consisting essentially of” is intended to mean that the fibrinogen and the fibrinogen activator are the only necessary and essential ingredients of the haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing when it is used as intended to treat wounded tissue. Accordingly, the haemostatic layer may contain other ingredients in addition to the fibrinogen and the fibrinogen activator as desired for a particular application, but these other ingredients are not required for the solid dressing to function as intended under normal conditions, i.e. these other ingredients are not necessary for the fibrinogen and fibrinogen activator to react and form enough fibrin to reduce the flow of blood and/or fluid from normal wounded tissue when that dressing is applied to that tissue under the intended conditions of use. If, however, the conditions of use in a particular situation are not normal, for example the patient is a hemophiliac suffering from Factor XIII deficiency, then the appropriate additional components, such as Factor XIII/XIIIa or some other transaminase, may be added to the haemostatic layer(s) without deviating from the spirit of the present invention. Similarly, the solid dressing of the present invention may contain one or more of these haemostatic layers as well as one or more other layers, such as one or more support layers (e.g. a backing material or an internal support material) and release layers.

Other preferred embodiments of the present invention include similar solid dressings wherein the fibrinogen is present in an amount between 11.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing and 13.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing, all values being ±0.09 mg/cm². Other preferred embodiments include similar solid dressings wherein the fibrinogen is present in an amount between 3.0 mg/cm² and 9.0 mg/cm² Still other preferred embodiments are directed to similar solid dressings wherein the amount of fibrinogen is: 3.0 mg/cm² of the surface area of the wound facing side of the dressing; 5.0 mg/cm²; 7.0 mg/cm²; 9.0 mg/cm²; 11.0 mg/cm²; or 13.0 mg/cm² (all values being ±0.09 mg/cm²).

Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method for treating wounded tissue in a mammal, comprising placing a solid dressing of the present invention to wounded tissue and applying sufficient pressure to the dressing for a sufficient time for enough fibrin to form to reduce the loss of blood and/or other fluid from the wound.

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing is formed or cast as a single piece. According to certain other embodiments of the present invention, the haemostatic layer is made or formed into or from a single source, e.g. an aqueous solution containing a mixture of the fibrinogen and the fibrinogen activator. With each of these embodiments of the present invention, the haemostatic layer(s) is preferably substantially homogeneous throughout.

According to other preferred embodiments, the haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing are composed of a plurality of particles, each of which consists essentially of fibrinogen and a fibrinogen activator. According to such embodiments, the haemostatic layer may also contain a binding agent to facilitate or improve the adherence of the particles to one another and/or to any support layer(s). Illustrative examples of suitable binding agents include, but are not limited to, sucrose, mannitol, sorbitol, gelatin, hyaluron and its derivatives, such as hyaluronic acid, maltose, povidone, starch, chitosan and its derivatives, and cellulose derivatives, such as carboxymethylcellulose, as well as mixtures of two or more thereof.

The haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing may also optionally contain one or more suitable fillers, such as sucrose, lactose, maltose, silk, fibrin, collagen, albumin, hyaluron and its derivatives, such as hyaluronic acid, polysorbate (Tween™), chitin, chitosan and its derivatives, such as NOCC-chitosan, alginic acid and salts thereof, cellulose and derivatives thereof, proteoglycans, glycolic acid polymers, lactic acid polymers, glycolic acid/lactic acid co-polymers, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

The haemostatic layer of the solid dressing may also optionally contain one or more suitable solubilizing agents, such as sucrose, dextrose, mannose, trehalose, mannitol, sorbitol, albumin, hyaluron and its derivatives, such as hyaluronic acid, sorbate, polysorbate (Tween™), sorbitan (SPAN™) and mixtures of two or more thereof.

The haemostatic layer of the solid dressing may also optionally contain one or more suitable foaming agents, such as a mixture of a physiologically acceptable acid (e.g. citric acid or acetic acid) and a physiologically suitable base (e.g. sodium bicarbonate or calcium carbonate). Other suitable foaming agents include, but are not limited to, dry particles containing pressurized gas, such as sugar particles containing carbon dioxide (see, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 3,012,893) or other physiologically acceptable gases (e.g. Nitrogen or Argon), and pharmacologically acceptable peroxides.

The haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing may also optionally contain a suitable source of calcium ions, such as calcium chloride, and/or a fibrin cross-linker, such as a transaminase (e.g. Factor XIII/XIIIa) or glutaraldehyde.

The haemostatic layer of the solid dressing is preferably prepared by mixing aqueous solutions of the fibrinogen and the fibrinogen activator under conditions which minimize the activation of the fibrinogen by the fibrinogen activator. The mixture of aqueous solutions is then subjected to a process such as lyophilization or free-drying to reduce the moisture content to the desired level, i.e. to a level where the dressing is solid and therefore will not substantially change in shape or form upon standing, wound-facing surface down, at room temperature for 24 hours. Similar processes that achieve the same result, such as drying, spray-drying, vacuum drying and vitrification, may also be employed.

As used herein, “moisture content” refers to the amount freely-available water in the dressing. “Freely-available” means the water is not bound to or complexed with one or more of the non-liquid components of the dressing. The moisture content referenced herein refers to levels determined by procedures substantially similar to the FDA-approved, modified Karl Fischer method (Meyer and Boyd, Analytical Chem., 31:215-219, 1959; May et al., J. Biol. Standardization, 10:249-259, 1982; Centers for Biologics Evaluation and Research, FDA, Docket No. 89D-0140, 83-93; 1990) or by near infrared spectroscopy. Suitable moisture content(s) for a particular solid dressing may be determined empirically by one skilled in the art depending upon the intended application(s) thereof.

For example, in certain embodiments of the present invention, higher moisture contents are associated with more flexible solid dressings. Thus, in solid dressings intended for extremity wounds, it may be preferred to have a moisture content of at least 6% and even more preferably in the range of 6% to 44%.

Similarly, in other embodiments of the present invention, lower moisture contents are associated with more rigid solid dressings. Thus, in solid dressings intended for flat wounds, such as wounds to the abdomen or chest, it may be preferred to have a moisture content of less than 6% and even more preferably in the range of 1% to 6%.

Accordingly, illustrative examples of suitable moisture contents for solid dressings include, but are not limited to, the following (each value being ±0.9%): less than 53%; less than 44%; less than 28%; less than 24%; less than 16%; less than 12%; less than 6%; less than 5%; less than 4%; less than 3%; less than 2.5%; less than 2%; less than 1.4%; between 0 and 12%, non-inclusive; between 0 and 6%; between 0 and 4%; between 0 and 3%; between 0 and 2%; between 0 and 1%; between 1 and 16%; between 1 and 11%; between 1 and 8%; between 1 and 6%; between 1 and 4%; between 1 and 3%; between 1 and 2%; and between 2 and 4%.

The fibrinogen in the haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressings may be any suitable fibrinogen known and available to those skilled in the art. A specific fibrinogen for a particular application may be selected empirically by one skilled in the art. As used herein, the term “fibrinogen” is intended to include mixtures of fibrinogen and small amounts of Factor XIII/Factor XIIIa, or some other such transaminase Such small amounts are generally recognized by those skilled in the art as usually being found in mammalian fibrinogen after it has been purified according to the methods and techniques presently known and available in the art, and typically range from 0.1 to 20 Units/mL.

Preferably, the fibrinogen employed as the fibrinogen component of the solid dressing is a purified fibrinogen suitable for introduction into a mammal Typically, such fibrinogen is a part of a mixture of human plasma proteins which include Factor XIII/XIIIa and have been purified to an appropriate level and virally inactivated. A preferred aqueous solution of fibrinogen for preparation of a solid dressing contains around 37.5 mg/mL fibrinogen at a pH of around 7.4±0.1. Suitable fibrinogen for use as the fibrinogen component has been described in the art, e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,716,645, and similar materials are commercially available, e.g. from sources such as Sigma-Aldrich, Enzyme Research Laboratories, Haematologic Technologies and Aniara.

The fibrinogen activator employed in the haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing may be any of the substances or mixtures of substances known by those skilled in the art to convert fibrinogen into fibrin. Illustrative examples of suitable fibrinogen activators include, but are not limited to, the following: thrombins, such as human thrombin or bovine thrombin, and prothrombins, such as human prothrombin or prothrombin complex concentrate (a mixture of Factors II, VII, IX and X); snake venoms, such as batroxobin, reptilase (a mixture of batroxobin and Factor XIIIa), bothrombin, calobin, fibrozyme, and enzymes isolated from the venom of Bothrops jararacussu; and mixtures of any two or more of these. See, e.g., Dascombe et al., Thromb. Haemost. 78:947-51 (1997); Hahn et al., Biochem. (Tokyo) 119:835-43 (1996); Fortova et al., J. Chromatogr. S. Biomed. Appl. 694:49-53 (1997); and Andriao-Escarso et al., Toxicon. 35: 1043-52 (1997).

Preferably, the fibrinogen activator is a thrombin. More preferably, the fibrinogen activator is a mammalian thrombin, although bird and/or fish thrombin may also be employed in appropriate circumstances. While any suitable mammalian thrombin may be used in the solid dressing, the thrombin employed in the haemostatic layer is preferably a lyophilized mixture of human plasma proteins which has been sufficiently purified and virally inactivated for the intended use of the solid dressing. Suitable thrombin is available commercially from sources such as Sigma-Aldrich, Enzyme Research Laboratories, Haematologic Technologies and Biomol International. A particularly preferred aqueous solution of thrombin for preparing a solid dressing contains thrombin at a potency of between 10 and 2000±50 International Units/mL, and more preferred at a potency of 25±2.5 International Units/mL. Other constituents may include albumin (generally about 0.1 mg/mL) and glycine (generally about 100 mM±0.1 mM). The pH of this particularly preferred aqueous solution of thrombin is generally in the range of 6.5-7.8, and preferably 7.4±0.1, although a pH in the range of 5.5-8.5 may be acceptable.

In addition to the haemostatic layer(s), the solid dressing may optionally further comprise one or more support layers. As used herein, a “support layer” refers to a material that sustains or improves the structural integrity of the solid dressing and/or the fibrin clot formed when such a dressing is applied to wounded tissue.

According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention the support layer comprises a backing material on the side of the dressing opposite the side to be applied to wounded tissue. Such a backing material may be affixed with a physiologically-acceptable adhesive or may be self-adhering (e.g. by having a sufficient surface static charge). The backing material may comprise one or more resorbable materials or one or more non-resorbable materials or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the backing material is a single resorbable material.

Any suitable resorbable material known and available to those skilled in the art may be employed in the present invention. For example, the resorbable material may be a proteinaceous substance, such as silk, fibrin, keratin, collagen and/or gelatin. Alternatively, the resorbable material may be a carbohydrate substance, such as alginates, chitin, cellulose, proteoglycans (e.g. poly-N-acetyl glucosamine), hyaluron and its derivatives, such as hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid polymers, lactic acid polymers, or glycolic acid/lactic acid co-polymers. The resorbable material may also comprise a mixture of proteinaceous substances or a mixture of carbohydrate substances or a mixture of both proteinaceous substances and carbohydrate substances. Specific resorbable material(s) may be selected empirically by those skilled in the art depending upon the intended use of the solid dressing.

According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the resorbable material is a carbohydrate substance. Illustrative examples of particularly preferred resorbable materials include, but are not limited to, the materials sold under the trade names VICRYL™ (a glycolic acid/lactic acid copolymer) and DEXON™ (a glycolic acid polymer).

Any suitable non-resorbable material known and available to those skilled in the art may be employed as the backing material. Illustrative examples of suitable non-resorbable materials include, but are not limited to, plastics, silicone polymers, paper and paper products, latex, gauze and the like.

According to other preferred embodiments, the support layer comprises an internal support material. Such an internal support material is preferably fully contained within a haemostatic layer of the solid dressing., although it may be placed between two adjacent haemostatic layers in certain embodiments. As with the backing material, the internal support material may be a resorbable material or a non-resorbable material, or a mixture thereof, such as a mixture of two or more resorbable materials or a mixture of two or more non-resorbable materials or a mixture of resorbable material(s) and non-resorbable material(s).

According to still other preferred embodiments, the support layer may comprise a front support material on the wound-facing side of the dressing, i.e. the side to be applied to wounded tissue. As with the backing material and the internal support material, the front support material may be a resorbable material or a non-resorbable material, or a mixture thereof, such as a mixture of two or more resorbable materials or a mixture of two or more non-resorbable materials or a mixture of resorbable material(s) and non-resorbable material(s).

According to still other preferred embodiments, the solid dressing comprises both a backing material and an internal support material in addition to the haemostatic layer(s), i.e. the solid dressing comprises two support layers in addition to the haemostatic layer(s). According to still other preferred embodiments, the solid dressing comprises both a front support material and an internal support material in addition to the haemostatic layer(s). According to still other preferred embodiments, the solid dressing comprises a backing material, a front support material and an internal support material in addition to the haemostatic layer(s).

According to certain embodiments of the present invention, particularly where the solid dressing is manufactured using a mold, the solid dressings may also optionally further comprise a release layer in addition to the haemostatic layer(s) and support layer(s). As used herein, a “release layer” refers to a layer containing one or more agents (“release agents”) which promote or facilitate removal of the solid dressing from a mold in which it has been manufactured. A preferred such agent is sucrose, but other suitable release agents include gelatin, mannitol, sorbitol, hyaluron and its derivatives, such as hyaluronic acid, and glucose. Alternatively, such one or more release agents may be contained in the haemostatic layer.

The various layers of the inventive dressings may be affixed to one another by any suitable means known and available to those skilled in the art. For example, a physiologically-acceptable adhesive may be applied to a backing material (when present), and the haemostatic layer(s) subsequently affixed thereto.

In certain embodiments of the present invention, the physiologically-acceptable adhesive has a shear strength and/or structure such that the backing material can be separated from the fibrin clot formed by the haemostatic layer after application of the dressing to wounded tissue. In other embodiments, the physiologically-acceptable adhesive has a shear strength and/or structure such that the backing material cannot be separated from the fibrin clot after application of the bandage to wounded tissue.

Suitable fibrinogens and suitable fibrinogen activators for the haemostatic layer(s) of the solid dressing may be obtained from any appropriate source known and available to those skilled in the art, including, but not limited to, the following: from commercial vendors, such as Sigma-Aldrich and Enzyme Research Laboratories; by extraction and purification from human or mammalian plasma by any of the methods known and available to those skilled in the art; from supernatants or pastes derived from plasma or recombinant tissue culture, viruses, yeast, bacteria, or the like that contain a gene that expresses a human or mammalian plasma protein which has been introduced according to standard recombinant DNA techniques; and/or from the fluids (e.g. blood, milk, lymph, urine or the like) of transgenic mammals (e.g. goats, sheep, cows) that contain a gene which has been introduced according to standard transgenic techniques and that expresses the desired fibrinogen and/or desired fibrinogen activator.

According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fibrinogen is a mammalian fibrinogen such as bovine fibrinogen, porcine fibrinogen, ovine fibrinogen, equine fibrinogen, caprine fibrinogen, feline fibrinogen, canine fibrinogen, murine fibrinogen or human fibrinogen. According to other embodiments, the fibrinogen is bird fibrinogen or fish fibrinogen. According to any of these embodiments, the fibrinogen may be recombinantly produced fibrinogen or transgenic fibrinogen.

According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the fibrinogen activator is a mammalian thrombin, such as bovine thrombin, porcine thrombin, ovine thrombin, equine thrombin, caprine thrombin, feline thrombin, canine thrombin, murine thrombin and human thrombin. According to other embodiments, the thrombin is bird thrombin or fish thrombin. According to any of these embodiments, the thrombin may be recombinantly produced thrombin or transgenic thrombin.

As a general proposition, the purity of the fibrinogen and/or the fibrinogen activator for use in the solid dressing will be a purity known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to lead to the optimal efficacy and stability of the protein(s). Preferably, the fibrinogen and/or the fibrinogen activator has been subjected to multiple purification steps, such as precipitation, concentration, diafiltration and affinity chromatography (preferably immunoaffinity chromatography), to remove substances which cause fragmentation, activation and/or degradation of the fibrinogen and/or the fibrinogen activator during manufacture, storage and/or use of the solid dressing. Illustrative examples of such substances that are preferably removed by purification include: protein contaminants, such as inter-alpha trypsin inhibitor and pre-alpha trypsin inhibitor; non-protein contaminants, such as lipids; and mixtures of protein and non-protein contaminants, such as lipoproteins.

The amount of the fibrinogen activator employed in the solid dressing is preferably selected to optimize both the efficacy and stability thereof. As such, a suitable concentration for a particular application of the solid dressing may be determined empirically by one skilled in the relevant art. According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the fibrinogen activator is human thrombin, the amount of human thrombin employed is between 2.50 Units/mg of fibrinogen component and 0.025 Units/mg of the fibrinogen (all values being ±0.0009). Other preferred embodiments are directed to similar solid dressings wherein the amount of thrombin is between 0.250 Units/mg of fibrinogen and 0.062 Units/mg of fibrinogen and solid dressings wherein the amount of thrombin is between 0.125 Units/mg of fibrinogen and 0.080 Units/mg of fibrinogen.

During use of the solid dressing, the fibrinogen and the fibrinogen activator are preferably activated at the time the dressing is applied to the wounded tissue by the endogenous fluids of the patient escaping from the hemorrhaging wound. Alternatively, in situations where fluid loss from the wounded tissue is insufficient to provide adequate hydration of the protein layers, the fibrinogen component and/or the thrombin may be activated by a suitable, physiologically-acceptable liquid, optionally containing any necessary co-factors and/or enzymes, prior to or during application of the dressing to the wounded tissue.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the haemostatic layer(s) may also contain one or more supplements, such as growth factors, drugs, polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies and other compounds. Illustrative examples of such supplements include, but are not limited to, the following: fibrinolysis inhibitors, such as aprotonin, tranexamic acid and epsilon-amino-caproic acid; antibiotics, such as tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, amoxicillin, and metronidazole; anticoagulants, such as activated protein C, heparin, prostacyclins, prostaglandins (particularly (PGI₂), leukotrienes, antithrombin III, ADPase, and plasminogen activator; steroids, such as dexamethasone, inhibitors of prostacyclin, prostaglandins, leukotrienes and/or kinins to inhibit inflammation; cardiovascular drugs, such as calcium channel blockers, vasodilators and vasoconstrictors; chemoattractants; local anesthetics such as bupivacaine; and antiproliferative/antitumor drugs such as 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), taxol and/or taxotere; antivirals, such as gangcyclovir, zidovudine, amantidine, vidarabine, ribaravin, trifluridine, acyclovir, dideoxyuridine and antibodies to viral components or gene products; cytokines, such as alpha- or beta- or gamma-Interferon, alpha- or beta-tumor necrosis factor, and interleukins; colony stimulating factors; erythropoietin; antifungals, such as diflucan, ketaconizole and nystatin; antiparasitic gents, such as pentamidine; anti-inflammatory agents, such as alpha-1-and-trypsin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin; anesthetics, such as bupivacaine; analgesics; antiseptics; hormones; vitamins and other nutritional supplements; glycoproteins; fibronectin; peptides and proteins; carbohydrates (both simple and/or complex); proteoglycans; antiangiogenins; antigens; lipids or liposomes; oligonucleotides (sense and/or antisense DNA and/or RNA); and gene therapy reagents. In other embodiments of the present invention, the backing layer and/or the internal support layer, if present, may contain one or more supplements. According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the therapeutic supplement is present in an amount greater than its solubility limit in fibrin.

The following examples are illustrative only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the methods of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

EXAMPLES

The ability of the dressings to seal an injured blood vessel was determined by an ex vivo porcine arteriotomy (EVPA) performance test, which was first described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336. The EVPA performance test evaluates the ability of a dressing to stop fluid flow through a hole in a porcine artery. While the procedure described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 has been shown to be useful for evaluating haemostatic dressings, it failed to replicate faithfully the requirements for success in vivo. More specifically, the procedure disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 required testing at 37° C., whereas, in the real world, wounds are typically cooler than that. This decreased temperature can significantly reduce the rate of fibrin formation and its haemostatic efficacy in trauma victims. See, e.g., Acheson et al., J. Trauma 59:865-874 (2005). The test in U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 also failed to require a high degree of adherence of the dressing to the injured tissue. A failure mode in which fibrin forms but the dressing fails to attach tightly to the tissue would, therefore, not be detected by this test. Additionally, the pressure utilized in the procedure (200 mHg) may be exceeded during therapy for some trauma patients. The overall result of this is that numerous animal tests, typically involving small animals (such as rats and rabbits), must be conducted to accurately predict dressing performance in large animal, realistic trauma studies and in the clinical environment.

In order to minimize the amount of time and the number of animal studies required to develop the present invention, an improved ex vivo testing procedure was developed. To accomplish this, the basic conditions under which the dressing test was conducted were changed, and the severity of the test parameters was increased to include testing at lower temperatures (i.e. 29-33° C. vs. 37° C., representing the real physiologic challenge at realistic wound temperatures (Acheson et al., J. Trauma 59:865-874 (2005)), higher pressures (i.e. 250 mmHg vs. 200 mmHg), a longer test period (3 minutes vs. 2 minutes) and larger sized arterial injuries (U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 used an 18 gauge needle puncture, whereas the revised procedure used puncture holes ranging from 2.8 mm to 4 mm×6 mm).

In addition, a new test was derived to directly measure adherence of the dressing to the injured tissue. Both these tests showed greatly improved stringency and are thus capable of surpassing the previous ex vivo test and replacing many in vivo tests for efficacy.

The following is a list of acronyms used in the Examples below:

-   CFB: Complete Fibrinogen Buffer (100 mM Sodium Chloride, 1.1 mM     Calcium Chloride, 10 mM Tris, 10 mM Sodium Citrate, 1.5% Sucrose,     Human Serum Albumin (80 mg/g of total protein) and Tween™ 80 (animal     source) 15 mg/g total protein) -   CTB: Complete Thrombin Buffer (150 mM Sodium Chloride, 40 mM Calcium     Chloride, 10 mM Tris and 100 mM L-Lysine with the addition of HSA at     100 ug/ml) -   ERL: Enzyme Research Laboratories -   EVPA: Ex Vivo Porcine Arteriotomy -   FD: Inventive haemostatic dressing -   HSA: Human Serum Albumin -   HD: A “sandwich” fibrin sealant haemostatic dressing as disclosed in     U.S. Pat. No. 6,762,336 -   IFB: Incomplete Fibrinogen Buffer; CFB without HSA and Tween -   PETG: Glycol-modified Polyethlylenetetrapthalate -   PPG: Polypropylene -   PVC: Poly vinyl chloride -   TRIS: trishydroxymethylaminomethane     (2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol)

Example 1

Backing material (DEXON™) was cut and placed into each PETG 2.4×2.4 cm mold. Twenty-five microliters of 2% sucrose was pipetted on top of each of the four corners of the backing material. Once completed the molds were placed in a −80° C. freezer for at least 60 minutes. Fibrinogen (Enzyme Research Laboratories™) was formulated in CFB. The final pH of the fibrinogen was 7.4±0.1. The fibrinogen concentrations were adjusted to 37.5, 31.7, 25.9, 20.16, 14.4, 8.64, and 4.3 mg/ml. When 2 ml of fibrinogen was delivered into the molds, this would result in a fibrinogen dose of 13, 11, 9, 7, 5, 3 or 1.5 mg/cm². Once prepared the fibrinogen was placed on ice until use. Thrombin was formulated in CTB. The final pH of the thrombin was 7.4±0.1. The concentrations of thrombin were adjusted so that when mixed with the fibrinogen solutions as described below, the combination would produce a solution that contained 0.1 units/mg of Fibrinogen. Once prepared the thrombin was placed on ice until use. The temperature of the fibrinogen and thrombin prior to dispensing was 4° C.±2° C. Molds were removed from the −80° C. freezer and placed on a copper plate that was placed on top of dry ice. A repeat pipettor was filled with fibrinogen and second repeat pipettor was filled with thrombin. Two ml of fibrinogen and 300 micro liters of thrombin were dispensed simultaneously into each mold. Once the molds were filled they were allowed to freeze and then returned to the −80° C. freezer for at least two hours. The frozen dressings were then placed into a pre-cooled Genesis™ lyophylizer (Virtis, Gardiner, N.Y.). The chamber was sealed and the temperature equilibrated. The chamber was then evacuated and the dressings lyophilized via a primary and secondary drying cycle.

The dressings were removed from the lyophylizer, sealed in foil pouches and stored at room temperature until testing. Subsequently, the dressings were evaluated in the EVPA, Adherence and Weight Assays.

The results are given in the following Table and depicted graphically in FIGS. 1A-1C.

EVPA Weight Weight Pass/ Peel Test Adherence Held Held Group Total Adherence Std Dev (mean) (g) Std Dev 13 mg/cm² 6/6 4.0 0.0 198.0 12.6 11 mg/cm² 6/6 3.8 0.4 163 48.5 9 mg/cm² 5/6 3.0 0.0 88 20.0 7 mg/cm² 6/6 3.2 0.4 93 17.6 7 mg/cm² 5/6 3.0 0.0 94.7 8.2 5 mg/cm² 5/5 2.8 0.4 76 34.2 3 mg/cm² 5/5 2.4 0.5 48 27.4 1.5 mg/cm² 0/6 0.1 0.2 4.7 11.4

Example 2

Monolithic dressings were manufactured as follows: backing material was cut and placed into each PETG 2.4×2.4 cm mold. Twenty-five microliters of 2% sucrose was pipetted on top of each of the four corners of the backing material Once completed the molds were placed in a −80° C. freezer for at least 60 minutes.

For all dressings, ERL fibrinogen lot 3114 was formulated in CFB. The final pH of the fibrinogen was 7.4±0.1. The fibrinogen concentration was adjusted to 37.5 mg/ml. Once prepared the fibrinogen was placed on ice until use. Thrombin was formulated in CTB. The final pH of the thrombin was 7.4±0.1. The thrombin was adjusted to deliver 0.1 units/mg of Fibrinogen or 25 Units/ml thrombin. Once prepared the thrombin was placed on ice until use. The temperature of the fibrinogen and thrombin prior to dispensing was 4° C.±2° C. Molds were removed from the −80° C. freezer and placed on a copper plate that was placed on top of dry ice. A repeat pipettor was filled with fibrinogen and second repeat pipettor was filled with thrombin. Simultaneously 2 ml of fibrinogen and 300 micro liters of thrombin were dispensed into each mold. Once the molds were filled they were returned to the −80° C. freezer for at least two hours before being placed into the freeze dryer. Dressings were then lyophilized as described above. Once complete the dressings were stored in low moisture transmission foil bags containing 5 grams of desiccant.

Trilayer dressings were manufactured as described previously¹, using the same materials as described above. Subsequently, the dressings were placed under conditions of 100% relative humidity at 37° C. for various times in order to increase their relative moisture content to desired levels. The dressings were evaluated visually and for their handling and other physical characteristics. Following this evaluation, a sample of each of the dressings was tested to determine their moisture content. The remaining dressings were performance tested in the EVPA, Adherence and Weight Held assays.

Results

The results of the assays are given in the Tables below:

TABLE 1 Performance Data of Inventive Solid Dressings Exposure Time Peel Test Weight to 100% EVPA # Adherence Held (g) Humidity @ 37° C. % Pass/ (±Std. (mean ± Std. (minutes) Moisture Total Dev.) Dev.) 0 2.5 2/2 4.0 ± 0 148 ± 28.3 1 5.8 2/2   3.5 ± 0.71 123 ± 7.1  15 16 2/2  2.5 ± .71 108 ± 14.1 45 24 2/2 4.0 ± 0 168 ± 0   60 28 2/2 4.0 ± 0 273 ± 7.1  225 44 2/2  2 ± 0  58 ± 14.1 1200 52 ND ND ND

TABLE 2 Performance Data for Tri-layer Dressings Exposure Time to 100% EVPA # Weight Humidity @ 37° C. % Pass/ Peel Test Held (g) (minutes) Moisture Total Adherence (mean) 0 3 1/1 2.0 78 15 22 1/1 2.0 78 60 33.7 0/1 0.5 28

TABLE 3 Integrity and Handling Characteristics of Inventive Solid Dressings Exposure Time During Hydration to 100% Force Humidity Prior To Hydration Required After @ 37° C. Surface Speed of for Hydration (minutes) Appearance Curling Integrity Flexible Hydration Hydration Appearance 0 Normal No Excellent No Normal No Normal (Smooth, No (No cracks or “skin”) flaking off) 1 Normal ″ Excellent Yes ″ ″ ″ (Smooth, No (No cracks or “skin”) flaking off) 15 Normal ″ Excellent ″ ″ ″ ″ (Smooth, No (No cracks or “skin”) flaking off) 45 Normal ″ Excellent ″ ″ ″ ″ (Smooth, No (No cracks or “skin”) flaking off) 60 Normal Slight Excellent ″ ″ ″ ″ (Smooth, No (No cracks or “skin”) flaking off) 225 Normal Yes Excellent ″ ″ ″ ″ (Smooth, No (No cracks or “skin”) flaking off) 1200 Normal Curling Excellent ″ n/d n/d Mottled & (Smooth, No up on (No cracks or lumpy “skin”) itself flaking off)

TABLE 4 Integrity and Handling Characteristics of Trilayer Dressings Exposure Time During Hydration to 100% Force Humidity Prior To Hydration Required After @ 37° C. Surface Speed of for Hydration (minutes) Appearance Curling Integrity Flexibility Hydration Hydration Appearance 0 Normal No Good; some No Normal No Normal delamination 15 Irregular No Good; some Yes Slow No Mottled delamination 60 Skinned Yes Good; some Yes Very Slow Yes Very delamination Mottled and lumpy

CONCLUSIONS

The monolithic dressings were fully functional at very high levels of moisture. As much as 28% moisture was found to retain complete functionality. When the moisture levels rose to 44%, the dressings were still functional, however some of their activity was reduced Higher levels of moisture may also retain some function. The original dressings, at 2.5% moisture content, were not flexible, but had all the other desired properties including appearance, a flat surface, integrity, rapid and uncomplicated hydration and a smooth appearance post hydration. Once the moisture content was increased to 5.8%, the monolithic dressings became flexible, while retaining their functionality and desirable characteristics. They retained their flexibility, without curling or losing their integrity or appearing to form excessive amounts of fibrin prior to hydration.

This contrasted with the tri-layer dressings, which began to lose their desirable characteristics upon the addition of moisture, and lost them entirely by the time moisture had increased to 33%. At no time did these dressings become flexible.

Example 3

For dressings utilizing a backing, the backing material was cut and placed into each PETG 2.4×2.4 cm mold. Twenty-five microliters of 2% sucrose was pipetted on top of each of the four corners of the backing material. Once completed the molds were placed in a −80° C. freezer for at least 60 minutes. For dressings without backing material, PETG 2.4×2.4 cm molds were placed in a −80° C. freezer for at least 60 minutes.

For all dressings, ERL fibrinogen lot 3114 was formulated in CFB. The final pH of the fibrinogen was 7.4±0.1. The fibrinogen concentration was adjusted to 37.5 mg/ml. Once prepared the fibrinogen was placed on ice until use. Thrombin was formulated in CTB. The final pH of the thrombin was 7.4±0.1. The thrombin was adjusted to deliver 0.1 units/mg of Fibrinogen or 25 Units/ml thrombin. Once prepared the thrombin was placed on ice until use. The temperature of the fibrinogen and thrombin prior to dispensing was 4° C.±2° C. Molds were removed from the −80° C. freezer and placed on a copper plate that was placed on top of dry ice. A repeat pipettor was filled with fibrinogen and second repeat pipettor was filled with thrombin. Simultaneously 2 ml of fibrinogen and 300 micro liters of thrombin were dispensed into each mold. Once the molds were filled they were returned to the −80° C. freezer for at least two hours before being placed into the freeze dryer. Dressings were then lyophylized as described below.

Both groups were performance tested in the EVPA assay. In addition, the group which had a backing was also tested in the Adherence and Weight Held assays.

Results:

EVPA # Weight Weight Pass/ Peel Test Adherence Held Held Group Total Adherence Std Dev (mean) (g) Std Dev Backing 6/6 3.7 0.5 153 37.3 No Backing  9/12

CONCLUSIONS

Dressings formulated with backing material performed well, with all dressings passing the EVPA test, and high values for adherence and weight held. Dressings without backing material were not quite as effective in the EVPA assay, however, surprisingly 75% of them passed the EVPA test. Without the backing the other tests could not be performed. The ability of the dressings made without a backing to succeed in the EVPA assay indicates that these dressings would be effective in treating arterial injuries and even more effective in treating venous and small vessel injuries.

Example 4

For all dressings, ERL fibrinogen lot 3130 was formulated in CFB. The final pH of the fibrinogen was 7.4±0.1. The fibrinogen concentration was adjusted to 37.5 mg/ml. Once prepared the fibrinogen was placed on ice until use. Thrombin was formulated in CTB. The final pH of the thrombin was 7.4±0.1. The thrombin was adjusted to deliver 0.1 units/mg of Fibrinogen or 25 Units/ml thrombin. For the group with shredded VICRYL™ mesh dispersed within, this support material was cut into approximately 1 mm×1 mm pieces and dispersed within the thrombin solution prior to filling the molds. Once prepared the thrombin was placed on ice until use. The temperature of the fibrinogen and thrombin prior to dispensing was 4° C.±2° C. Cylindrical molds made of 10 or 3 mL polypropylene syringes (Becton Dickinson) with the luer-lock end removed were used. The plungers were withdrawn to the 6 mL and 2 mL mark respectively. For dressings utilizing a backing, the support material was cut and placed into each mold and pushed down until it was adjacent to the plunger. Once prepared the molds were placed upright and surrounded by dry ice, leaving the opening exposed at the top. 1 ml of fibrinogen and 0.15 mL of thrombin (with or without backing material dispersed within) were dispensed into the 10 mL molds and 1 ml of fibrinogen and 0.15 mL of thrombin (with or without support material dispersed within) were dispensed into the 3 mL molds, which were allowed to freeze for 5 minutes. The molds were then placed into the −80° C. freezer for at least two hours before being placed into the freeze dryer and lyophylized as described above.

Upon removal from the lyophylizer, both groups were performance tested in a modified EVPA assay. Briefly, a plastic foam form was slipped over the artery. This covering had a hole in it that corresponded to the hole in the artery and the surrounding tissue. Warm saline was added to the surface of the dressing and the mold was immediately passed down thru the hole in the foam to the artery surface. The plunger was then depressed and held by hand for 3 minutes, after which the mold was withdrawn as the plunger was depressed further. At this point the artery was pressurized and the assay continued as before.

Results

EVPA Result Maximum Support Material Mold Size (@250 mmHg) Pressure None 10 ml Pass >250 mmHg Dexon Mesh Backing 10 ml Pass ″ ″  3 ml Pass ″ Shredded Dexon 10 ml Pass ″ Mesh (Dispersed) Shredded Dexon  3 ml Fail 150 mm Hg Mesh (Dispersed)

CONCLUSIONS

Dressings that included no backing or a DEXON™ mesh backing performed well, with all passing the EVPA test at 250 mmHg. When the support material was dispersed throughout the composition, the dressings also performed well, with the large size (10 mL mold) dressings holding the full 250 mmHg of pressure, while the smaller held up to 150 mmHg of pressure. This indicates that the use of a support material may be optional, and it's location may be on the ‘back’ of the dressing, or dispersed thou the composition, as desired.

Example 5

Dressings made with a support material on the “back” (i.e. the non-wound-facing side) of the dressing were manufactured by first cutting the mesh support material and placing it into each PETG 10×10 cm mold. Twenty-five microliters of 2% sucrose was pipetted on top of each of the four corners of the backing material. Once completed the molds were placed in a −80° C. freezer for at least 60 minutes.

For dressings made with a support material on the “front” (i.e. the wound-facing side) of the dressing, these were manufactured without any support material in the mold. The support mesh was placed atop the dressing immediately after dispensing of the fibrinogen and thrombin into the mold (see below), and lightly pressing it into the surface prior to its freezing. In all other ways the manufacture of the dressings was similar as described below.

For all dressings, ERL fibrinogen lot 3114 was formulated in CFB. The final pH of the fibrinogen was 7.4±0.1. The fibrinogen concentration was adjusted to 37.5 mg/ml. Once prepared the fibrinogen was placed on ice until use. Thrombin was formulated in CTB. The final pH of the thrombin was 7.4±0.1. The thrombin was adjusted to deliver 0.1 units/mg of Fibrinogen or 25 Units/ml thrombin. Once prepared the thrombin was placed on ice until use. The thrombin was adjusted to deliver 0.1 units/mg of Fibrinogen or 25 Units/ml thrombin. Once prepared the thrombin was placed on ice until use. The temperature of the fibrinogen and thrombin prior to dispensing was 4° C.±2° C. The mold was removed from the −80° C. freezer and placed on an aluminum plate that was placed on top of dry ice. The aluminum plate had a 0.25 inch hole drilled in the center and a fitting attached so that a piece of tubing could be attached to a vacuum source. The mold was centered over the hole in the aluminum plate and vacuum was turned on. The vacuum served two purposes it prevented the mold from moving and it held it flat against the aluminum plate. Thirty-five milliliters of fibrinogen and 5.25 milliliters of Thrombin were placed in 50 ml test tube, inverted three times and poured into the mold. Once the molds were filled and the support material applied as described above, they were returned to the −80° C. freezer for at least two hours before being placed into the freeze dryer. Dressings were then lyophylized as described previously.

Both groups were performance tested in the EVPA assay. In addition, the group which had a backing was also tested in the Adherence and Weight Held assays.

Results:

Support Material EVPA # Weight Weight (Mesh) Pass/ Adherence Adherence Held Held Orientation Total Test Score Std Dev (mean) (g) Std Dev Back (away from 6/6 3.5 0.5 136 49 injury site) Front 6/6 3.8 0.4 163 32 (immediately adjacent to injury site)

CONCLUSIONS

Dressings formulated with backing material in either orientation well, with all dressings passing the EVPA test, and high values for adherence and weight held. This indicates that the location of a support material may be on the ‘back’ of the dressing, or the ‘front’, of the composition as desired.

EVPA Performance Testing

Equipment and Supplies:

-   -   In-line high pressure transducer (Ashcroft Duralife™ or         equivalent)     -   Peristaltic pump (Pharmacia Biotech™, Model P-1 or equivalent)     -   Voltmeter (Craftsman™ Professional Model 82324 or equivalent)     -   Computer equipped with software for recording pressure or         voltage information     -   Tygon™ tubing (assorted sizes) with attachments     -   Water bath (Baxter Durabath™ or equivalent), preset to 37° C.     -   Incubation chamber (VWR™, Model 1400G or equivalent), preset to         37° C.     -   Thermometer to monitor temperatures of both water bath and oven     -   Assorted forceps, hemostats, and scissors     -   10 cc. and 20 cc. syringes with an approximately 0.6 cm hole         drilled in center and smaller hole drilled through both syringe         and plunger. This hole, drilled into the end of the syringe,         will be used to keep the plunger drawn back and stationary.     -   O-rings (size 10 and 13)     -   Plastic Shields to fit the 10 cc and 20 cc syringes         (approximately 3.5 cm in length)     -   P-1000 Pipetman™ with tips     -   Sphygmomanometer with neonatal size cuff and bladder     -   Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) to control the pumps to         maintain the desired pressure profile (Optional. Manual control         may be used if desired.)

1. Materials and Chemicals

-   -   Porcine descending aortas (Pel-Freez Biologicals™, Catalog         #59402-2 or equivalent)     -   Cyanoacrylate glue (Vetbond™, 3M or equivalent)     -   18-gauge needle(s)     -   0.9% Saline, maintained at 37° C.     -   Red food coloring     -   Vascular Punch(es), 2.8 mm or other     -   Plastic Wrap

2. Artery Cleaning and Storage

-   -   1. Store arteries at −20° C. until used.     -   2. Thaw arteries at 37° C. in H₂O bath.     -   3. Clean fat and connective tissue from exterior surface of         artery.     -   4. Cut the arteries into ˜5 cm segments.     -   5. The arteries may be refrozen to −20° C. and stored until use.

3. Artery Preparation for Assay

-   -   1. Turn the artery inside-out so that the smooth, interior wall         is facing outwards.     -   2. Stretch a size 13 O-ring over a 20 cc syringe or a size 10         O-ring over a 10 cc syringe with an approximately 0.6 cm (0.25         in) hole drilled into one side.     -   3. Pull the artery onto the syringe, taking care not to tear the         artery or have a too loose fit. The artery should fit snugly to         the syringe. Slide another O-ring of the same size onto the         bottom of the syringe     -   4. Carefully pull both O-rings over the ends of the artery. The         distance between the O-rings should be at least 3.5 cm     -   5. Using the blade of some surgical scissors, gently scrape the         surface of the artery in order to roughen the surface of the         artery.     -   6. Use a 18-gauge needle to poke a hole through the artery over         the site of the hole in the syringe barrel (see note above)     -   7. The tip of the biopsy punch is inserted through the hole in         the artery. Depress the punch's plunger to make an open hole in         the artery. Repeat a couple of times to ensure that the hole is         open and free of connective tissue.     -   8. Patch holes left by collateral arteries. Generally this is         done by cutting a patch from a latex glove and gluing it over         the hole with cyanoacrylate glue. Allow the glue to cure for at         least 10 minutes.     -   9. Place the artery in the warmed, moistened container and place         in the incubation chamber. Allow the arteries to warm for at         least 30 minutes.

4. Solution and Equipment Preparation

-   -   1. Check to see that the water bath and incubation chamber are         maintained at 29-33° C.     -   2. Make sure that there is sufficient 0.9% saline in the pump's         reservoir for completion of the day's assays. Add more if         needed.     -   3. Place 0.9% saline and 0.9% saline with a few drops of red         food coloring added into containers in a water bath so that the         solutions will be warmed prior to performing the assay.     -   4. Prepare the container for warming the arteries in the         incubation chamber by lining with KimWipes™ and adding a small         amount of water to keep the arteries moist.     -   5. Check the tubing for air bubbles. If bubbles exist, turn on         the pump and allow the 0.9% saline to flow until all bubbles are         removed.

5. Application of the Dressing

-   -   1. Open the haemostatic dressing pouch and remove haemostatic         dressing     -   2. Place the haemostatic dressing, mesh backing side UP, over         the hole in the artery     -   3. Slowly wet the haemostatic dressing with an amount of saline         appropriate for the article being tested         -   NOTE: A standard (13-15 mg/cm² of fibrinogen) 2.4×2.4 cm             haemostatic dressing should be wet with 800 μl of saline or             other blood substitute. The amount of saline used can be             adjusted depending on the requirements of the particular             experiment being performed; however, any changes should be             noted on the data collection forms.         -   NOTE: Wet the haemostatic dressing drop wise with 0.9%             saline warmed to 29-33° C. or other blood substitute, taking             care to keep the saline from running off the edges. Any             obvious differences in wetting characteristics from the             positive control should be noted on data collection forms.     -   4. Place the shield gently onto the haemostatic dressing, taking         care that it lies flat between the O-rings. Press lightly to         secure in place     -   5. Wrap the artery and haemostatic dressing with plastic wrap     -   6. Wrap with blood pressure cuff, taking care that the bladder         is adjacent to the haemostatic dressing.     -   7. Pump up the bladder to 100-120 mmHg, and monitor the pressure         and pump again if it falls below 100 mmHg. Maintain pressure for         5 minutes.         -   NOTE: Time and pressure can be altered according to the             requirements of the experiment; changes from the standard             conditions should be noted on the data collection forms.     -   8. After polymerization, carefully unwrap the artery and note         the condition of the haemostatic dressing. Any variation from         the positive control should be noted on the data collection         form.

Exclusion Criterion:

The mesh backing must remain over the hole in the artery. If it has shifted during the polymerization and does not completely cover the hole the haemostatic dressing must be excluded.

Testing Procedure

6. Diagram of Testing Equipment Set-Up

The set-up of the testing equipment is shown in FIG. 2. Some additional, unshown components may be utilized to read out (pressure gauge) or control the pressure within the system.

7. Equipment and Artery Assembly

Fill the artery and syringe with red 0.9% saline warmed to 37° C., taking care to minimize the amount of air bubbles within the syringe & artery. Filling the artery with the opening uppermost can assist with this. Attach the artery and syringe to the testing apparatus, making sure that there are as few air bubbles in the tubing as possible. The peristaltic pump should be calibrated so that it delivers approximately 3 ml/min. If available, the PLC should be operated according to a pre-determined range of pressures and hold times as appropriate for the article being tested. If under manual control, the pressure/time profile to be followed is attained by manually turning the pump on and off while referencing the system pressure as read out by one or more pressure-reading components of the system. Following the conclusion of testing, the haemostatic dressing is subjectively assessed with regard to adhesion to the artery and formation of a plug in the artery hole. Any variations from the positive control should be noted on the data collection form.

Success Criteria

Haemostatic dressings that are able to withstand pressures for 3 minutes are considered to have passed the assay. When a haemostatic dressing has successfully passed the assay the data collection should be stopped immediately so that the natural decrease in pressure that occurs in the artery once the test is ended isn't included on the graphs. Should the operator fail to stop data collection, these points can be deleted from the data file to avoid confusing the natural pressure decay that occurs post-test with an actual dressing failure. The entire testing period from application of the haemostatic dressing to completion must fall within pre-established criteria. The maximum pressure reached should be recorded on the data collection form.

-   -   NOTE: Typical challenge is 250 mmHg for three minutes in one         step, but that may be altered based on the article being tested.         Changes from the standard procedure should be noted on the data         collection forms.

Failure Criteria

Haemostatic dressings that start leaking saline at any point during testing are considered to have failed the assay.

-   -   NOTE: Build failures that are caused by artery swelling can be         ignored and the test continued or re-started (as long as the         total testing time doesn't fall beyond the established limit)

When leakage does occur, the pressure should be allowed to fall ˜20 mmHg before data collection is stopped so that the failure is easily observed on the graphs. The pressures at which leakage occurred should be recorded on the data collection form. Should the data collection stop in the middle of the experiment due to equipment failure the data can be collected by hand at 5 second intervals until the end of the test or haemostatic dressing failure, whichever happens first. The data points should be recorded on the back of the data collection form, clearly labeled, and entered by hand into the data tables.

Exclusion Criteria

If the total testing period exceeds the maximum allowed for that procedure, regardless of cause, results must be excluded. If there are leaks from collaterals that can't be fixed either by patching or finger pressure the results must be excluded. If the test fails because of leaks at the O-rings, the results must be excluded. If the mesh backing does not completely cover the hole in the artery, the results must be excluded.

Adherence Performance Testing

8. Equipment and Supplies

Hemostat(s), Porcine artery and haemostatic dressing (usually after completion of the EVPA Assay although it does not need to be performed to do the Adherence Assay).

9. Preparation of the Artery+Dressing

After application of the dressing without completion of the EVPA Assay, the dressing is ready for the Adherence Assay and Weight Limit Test (if applicable). After application of the dressing and subsequent EVPA Analysis, the artery and syringe system is then disconnected slowly from the pump so that solution does not spray everywhere. The warmed, red saline solution from the EVPA Assay remains in the syringe until the Adherence Assay and Weight Limit Test (if applicable) is completed.

Performance of the Adherence Assay

1. After preparation of the artery and dressing (with or without EVPA analysis), gently lift the corner of the mesh and attach a hemostat of known mass to the corner.

-   -   NOTE: If the FD developed a channel leak during the performance         of the EVPA Assay, test the adherence on the opposite of the         haemostatic dressing to obtain a more accurate assessment of the         overall adherence.

2. Gently let go of the hemostat, taking care not to allow the hemostat to drop or twist. Turn the syringe so that the hemostat is near the top and allow the hemostat to peel back the dressing as far as the dressing will permit. This usually occurs within 10 seconds. After the hemostat has stopped peeling back the dressing, rate the adherence of the bandage according to the following scale:

Dressing Performance Score Amount of Adherence 4  90+% 3 75-90% 2 50-75% 1  ~50% 0.5 Only the plug holds the hemostat 0 No adherence

Exclusion Criteria

The mesh backing must remain over the hole in the artery. If it has shifted during the polymerization and does not completely cover the hole the haemostatic dressing must be excluded.

Success Criteria

Dressings that are given an adherence score of 3 are considered to have passed the assay.

Failure Criteria

If a dressing does not adhere to the artery after application and/or prior to performing the EVPA assay, it is given a score of 0 and fails the adherence test. If a dressing receives a score ≦2, the dressing is considered to have failed the Adherence Assay.

Weight Held Performance Assay

After the initial scoring of the “Adherence Test”, weights may then be added to the hemostat in an incremental manner until the mesh backing is pulled entirely off of the artery. The maximum weight that the dressing holds is then recorded as a measure of the amount of weight the dressing could hold attached to the artery.

Moisture Assay

Moisture determinations were carried out using a Brinkman Metrohm Moisture Analyzer System. The system contains the following individual components, 774 Oven Sample Processor, 774SC Controller, 836 Titrando, 5 ml and 50 ml 800 Dosino Units and a 801 Stirrer. The system was connected to a computer using the Brinkman Tiamo software for data collection, analysis and storage. The moisture system is set-up and run according to the manufactures recommendations and specifications to measure the moisture content of lyophilized samples using the Karl Fischer method.

All components were turned on and allowed to reach operating temperature prior to use. Lactose and water were run as standards and to calibrate the instrument. Once the machine was successfully calibrated, samples were prepared as follows. Dressing pieces weighing at least 30 mg were placed into vials and capped. The vials were placed in the 774 Oven Sample Processor in numerical order, and one empty capped vial is placed in the conditioning space. The machine was then run to determine the moisture content (residual moisture) in the controls and samples. 

1. A solid dressing for treating wounded tissue in a mammal comprising at least one haemostatic layer consisting essentially of fibrinogen and a solvent consisting of water and a fibrinogen activator wherein said haemostatic layer is substantially homogeneous, wherein said fibrinogen is present in an amount about 13.0 mg/cm² of the wound facing surface of said dressing, and wherein the moisture content of said solid dressing is from 6% to 44%.
 2. The solid dressing of claim 1, further comprising at least one support layer.
 3. The solid dressing of claim 2, wherein said support layer comprises a backing material.
 4. The solid dressing of claim 2, wherein said support layer comprises an internal support material.
 5. The solid dressing of claim 2; wherein said support layer comprises a resorbable material.
 6. The solid dressing of claim 2, wherein said support layer comprises a non resorbable material.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The solid dressing of claim 3, further comprising at least physiologically acceptable adhesive between said haemostatic layer and said backing layer. 9-11. (canceled)
 12. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said haemostatic layer also contains a fibrin crosslinker and/or a source of calcium ions.
 13. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said haemostatic layer also contains one or more of the following: at least one filler, at least one solubilizing agent, at least one foaming agent and at least one release agent. 14-21. (canceled)
 22. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said haemostatic layer is composed of a plurality of particles, each of said particles consisting essentially of fibrinogen and thrombin.
 23. The solid dressing of claim 22, wherein said haemostatic layer further contains at least one binding agent in an amount effective to improve the adherence of said particles to one another.
 24. (canceled)
 25. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said haemostatic layer is a monolith.
 26. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said haemostatic layer has been lyophilized. 27-37. (canceled)
 38. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said fibrinogen activator is present in an amount between 2.50 Units/mg of fibrinogen component and 0.025 Units/mg of the fibrinogen.
 39. (canceled)
 40. A method of treating wounded tissue in a mammal, comprising placing a solid dressing of claim 1 to said wounded tissue and applying sufficient pressure to said dressing for a sufficient time for enough fibrin to form to reduce the loss of blood and/or other fluid from said wounded tissue.
 41. The solid dressing of claim 1, wherein said moisture content is at least 28%. 